We all want to look and feel like the best versions of ourselves, especially on our wedding day. Not only because it’s the most important day of our lives, but because we want to look back on the photographs and other memories fondly and feel that our wedding day “look” truly reflected the magical quality of the experience. 

However, bridal forums everywhere are filled with horror stories about makeup artistry gone wrong and last-minute disasters. So, how can these be avoided? 

The first step is to find a hair and makeup artist that has an impressive portfolio of professional work combined with the attention to detail and customer service skills you deserve on your special day.

That’s where Priyanka Esteves comes in! Based out of her studio “Beautymark Makeovers” in Cochrane, Priya provides both mobile and in-studio hair and makeup wedding packages to brides in Banff, Canmore, and beyond. 

As a trusted vendor of the Rocky Mountain Wedding Collective, we thought it was about time to introduce her and hear a little bit more about Banff wedding makeup from Priya herself! 

Rocky Mountain Wedding Makeup by Beautymark Makeovers | Wedding Styling and Planning by Moments by Madeleine | Banff Photographer Rocky Mountain Photo Co

Tell us a little about yourself!

My name is Priyanka (or Priya for short) and my heritage includes Filipino, Spanish and Indian.

I was born in the Philippines, raised in Dubai, and moved to Mississauga, Ontario when I was sixteen. Then I went on to study Human Resources at York University.

In my spare time, I love to travel but I’m totally a summer girl – I love stand up paddle boarding! I’m a big food-lover, particularly Mexican food and Sushi.

Some fun facts about me – I’ve been a bridesmaid 10 times (!), hate energy drinks, and I will NEVER get used to winter weather!

How did you get started in hair & makeup for weddings?

I’ve always done hair and makeup for my friends and family for special occasions and whenever we went out to party. Because I’ve been a bridesmaid/maid of honour many times, I’ve done makeup for a lot of my friends for their weddings. 

One day, a friend jokingly said I should start charging people for it. Some of their friends liked the hair/makeup I did and asked me if I could do it for their weddings. Then finally, when I started dating my husband, he wanted to take up photography and I joked that I could do the hair and makeup for our photography clients. 

I started Beautymark Makeovers (he never did anything with the photography) and I started charging people because they were willing to pay me and loved what I did for them. So I guess you could say I fell into it!

Rocky Mountain Wedding Makeup: Beautymark Makeovers | Wedding Photography: Rocky Mountain Photo Co

What Banff wedding makeup packages do you offer?

When a bride books for her special day, she receives:

• Lip scrub treatment (for kissable lips) 
• 24k collagen eye mask (because they usually don’t get much sleep the night before the big day!)
• Touch up kit for herself and her bridal party which includes blotting sheets, lip gloss & lipstick, and q-tips to gently wipe away any tears without ruining the makeup 

I also offer day packages should a bride want me to stay the whole day for herself and her bridal party for touch-ups or hair/makeup changes. 

Do trends in wedding makeup change a lot? 

I personally think overall looks don’t change for the actual makeup. Most brides want to have some version of a natural, glowing look that will last all day. But I have seen trends with the actual application of makeup. 

Ten years ago, all my brides wanted airbrush makeup. These days, products are so innovative that you can achieve the same look without an airbrush machine by using regular makeup brushes. 

What is the biggest up and coming bridal beauty trend right now, in your opinion?

The focus is definitely on having amazing brows- whether it be sculpted and defined brows, or a more natural, fluffy and full brow. The way skin looks has changed too. It used to be more matte skin, but more and more brides request contoured, yet glowy skin that doesn’t feel too heavy. 

How would you describe your philosophy when it comes to working with the bridal party ahead of the big day?

My aim is to always make people feel comfortable in their own skin. I look at each individual and customize their makeup. You want your look to enhance your best features and work with your natural beauty. My intent is to never alter or change your appearance, but rather to transform you into the best possible version of yourself. 

Makeup is all about highlighting your features, not hiding it! I also like to keep things light and fun on the day of the wedding. Some of my past brides have told me that I have a calming presence for them in the midst of all the chaos that surrounds them on their wedding day. 

What is the most common request you hear from brides regarding their Banff wedding makeup?

For makeup, brides usually ask for more natural looks where the focus is usually on the eyes and clean, glowing skin. 

Half updos have been very common as of late. Brides prefer a more undone, relaxed vibe with soft, almost beachy curls for hair. 

What is the most important advice you would give to brides when it comes to their wedding day look? 

Have realistic expectations when it comes to your hair/makeup looks. Often, when a bride shows me a picture of their inspiration for hair/makeup, I make sure to let them know if it is achievable based on their eye shape, face shape, skin texture, hair texture, etc. The look they want may not necessarily translate to what they see in the picture. 

Also, be sure to do a trial! It’s a way for both you and your artist to get to know each other and their work. Don’t just judge the work you see on their Instagram or website. I recommend brides to come in earlier in the day to get their hair/makeup done for a trial so they can see how it wears for a full day. I always follow up to see if they have any feedback so I know how their hair/makeup wore throughout the day and if they developed any adverse reactions to the products I used. 

What are some of your favourite products/brands to use?

I love Face Atelier foundations as it works really well for all skin types. My clients love it because it doesn’t feel heavy or look cakey, but it provides perfect coverage for a smooth base that lasts all day. 

Also, Plume brow pomade is great for filling in brows. It promotes brow growth while also adding definition. It’s 100% natural, vegan, cruelty free and Canadian!

I love using Kenra and Ouai hair products. Design Me Hair Puff Me products are amazing for giving hair that grit and body it needs!

Do you have any skincare recommendations for brides in the lead up to their big day?

Make sure to have a skincare regime down at least a year prior to your big day. If you don’t have one, visit a medispa or a facialist to recommend a skincare routine for you. 

Go for regular facials and be sure to cleanse and moisturize the skin the day before the wedding. This ensures your makeup sits/sets better on the skin and makes it look more radiant. 

Wash your hair the day before. It’s better to work with clean hair and then products can be used to make it easier to manage, rather than working with dirty hair.

Don’t try any new treatments on your face or hair too close to the big day. We don’t want any surprises too close to your wedding!

What positive feedback do you hear most frequently from brides/bridal parties about their Banff wedding makeup?

Brides often tell me that:

• Their makeup lasted all day without feeling heavy or greasy
• They felt amazing and at their most beautiful
• I was very personable, professional, patient, and have great attention to detail
• They were able to feel relaxed and trusted me completely
• I was able to create the look they wanted, no matter how artistic or natural
• My knowledge of all skin types, ethnicities, and ages (and the fact that I’m a perfectionist) was a huge plus
• Their hair held up through all types of weather, dancing, and celebrating

Is there anything else you would like to mention about your services or brand?

My motto is “be positively beautiful”. It’s all about bringing out the best version of you through the skills and knowledge I have gained in 10+ years of being in the beauty industry. My goal is to make you look good and, more importantly, to make you feel good in your own skin! 

I’ve worked on movie sets, Toronto Fashion Week, done editorial work for magazines, and hair and makeup for regular folks. No matter the client or event, I work with professionalism and a friendly demeanor. 

What clients say about Banff wedding makeup by Beautymark Makeovers:

“Priya is a true artist! The way that she did the make up for myself and my bridal party was beyond what I ever could have dreamed or hoped for. She took the time to do a trial hair and makeup for myself before the big day and did our brow tint, henna and lash lifts the week before. She was very patient and paid an incredible amount of attention to detail so that everything was perfect.

Everyone looked amazing right from the moment she finished right through the entire evening! 

Thank you so much Priya! I have never felt more beautiful than Saturday thanks to your expertise💕”
– Cherry B

If you’re looking for Banff wedding makeup to make you look and feel like the best version of yourself, you’ll be in good hands with Priya!

Get in touch with Beautymark Makeovers:

Visit the website here.

Check out Priya’s work on social media:

Facebook | Instagram

All photographs featured are by Rocky Mountain Photo Co.